https://ph.trip.com/moments/hotan-county-1446401
2024 Hotan County Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)
Today's Weather
Overcast -7-2℃
Popular Attractions
Yotkan Ancient City
"Chunhua" Homestay: A Place Where History and Blockbusters Coexist!
Hotan, a city in southern Xinjiang, always exudes a unique charm. Every view and every dish here is unforgettable. On this trip, I was lucky enough to stay in a super unique homestay - Hotan Yotkan Ancient City Chunhua Commune Homestay. It not only allowed me to experience the local lifestyle, but also provided a relaxing journey for my soul.
🌸Step into "Chunhua" and Feel the Fusion of History and Modernity
As soon as you step into the homestay, you can feel the strong historical and cultural atmosphere. The courtyard is decorated with locally made woven tapestries and woolen fabrics, and the walls are adorned with colorful handmade embroidery, as if each item is telling a story. The design of the entire space retains traditional elements while maintaining a modern feel, making you feel like you've traveled through time to an era full of stories.
📷Every Shot is a Blockbuster
For someone who loves taking photos like me, this place is simply paradise! Whether it's the Aywan dome in the courtyard or the arched corridor, every corner can be an excellent background. Especially the three separate duplex homestays with small courtyards, looking out the window is like seeing vivid life paintings. Here, you don't need to deliberately find angles; just standing casually can result in a beautiful photo.
🏠Family Rooms as Cozy as Home
If you're traveling with family, choosing this place is the right decision. The spacious family rooms are thoughtfully designed, providing enough private space while allowing for intimate family time. The room is equipped with all the daily necessities you need, and even has small toothbrushes and cups specially prepared for children! The most surprising thing is that you can enjoy authentic Xinjiang breakfast in the morning. The butler service is also very attentive, making you feel truly at home!
🎭Immersive Experience of Xinjiang Culture
One of the highlights of staying at this homestay is the opportunity to watch the large-scale live performance "Wan Fang Le Zou You Yu Tian" up close. Every night, Yotkan Ancient City transforms into a huge stage, and through lights, music, and the wonderful performances of the actors, the audience is transported into a magical world. This is not just a performance, but a profound cultural experience.
Desert Pit Stop: Fun and Adventure in the Taklamakan Desert
#traveldiaries #myhiddengems #monsteronvacay
A stopover at the Taklamakan Desert during a roadtrip with friends promises a fun and memorable adventure. As we step out of our 4x4, the vast golden dunes stretch out in every direction, inviting us to explore. Spending hours having fun, cracking jokes, posing and taking as many photos as possible with my travel buddies was such a valuable moment. The beauty of the desert is the perfect backdrop for creating lasting memories with friends before hitting the road again.
A Road Adventure on the Taklamakan Highway
#traveldiaries #myhiddengems #monsteronvacay
Travelling along the Tarim Desert Highway in Xinjiang is truly an unforgettable adventure. Also known as Taklamakan Desert Highway, it stretches over 552km through the heart of the vast Taklamakan Desert, the highway is a remarkable feat of engineering, connecting the towns of Luntai and Hotan. The journey offers breathtaking views of endless sand dunes and desolate landscapes, with stark contrast between the harsh desert environment and the occasional green patches of poplar trees irrigated along the route.
Our journey along the highway while chasing the sunset was such a magical experience. As the sun begins to descent over the vast Taklamakan Desert, the endless sand dunes are bathed in warm, golden hues, creating a stunning contrast with the deepening blue sky. Watching the sun dissappear beyond the horizon while driving through one of the world's most remote regions evokes a sense of wonder and solitude. It's a peaceful, awe-inspiring moment that enhances the beauty of this unforgettable journey.
The second largest desert in the world - Taklamakan Desert.
One of the highlights of our Xinjiang trip is passing through Taklamakan Desert.
Imagine driving through almost 8 hours of desert road with no green trees surrounding the area. It is that big that it took us quite a few hours to pass by.
It is quite unfortunate that during our drive in this area is that the weather is not quite favorable. There was a sandstorm during this time, as other parts of Xinjiang and China were experiencing rain.
During this type of weather, it is advisable to wear long jacket, wear face mask and sun glasses. As small sands - these are very small and hardly seen but it may enter one's eyes, mouth and skin which would leave blisters.
One of the supposed to be highlight is going to the Desert Gate Scenic Area. There are camel riding, 4x4 riding, tents for rent and other sand related activities available.
Our plan was to ride the camel in this area. Unfortunately, due to the sand storm we decided to cancel the activity as it is quite dangerous as the wind is quite strong.
I would still recommend this area a visit especially if you are in the area.
Best to go around later in the afternoon where the sunlight is not that strong anymore.
#chinatrip #100waysoftravel #desert #xinjiang
Explore Hotan, experience a different Xinjiang style
Exploring Hotan, this ancient and vibrant land, is a journey through time. Hotan is not only a shining pearl of Xinjiang but also a witness to history.
🏺 Hotan Jade, a treasure of millennia - The flowing Yurungkash River has nurtured the renowned Hotan Jade. Each piece of jade carries the spirit and stories of Hotan.
🏰 Hotan Tuan City, a blend of modern and classical - Stroll through the streets of Tuan City, feel the pulse of this city, and experience the sediment of history and the vitality of modernity.
📜 Hotan Museum, a treasury of history - Step into the museum and converse with the splendor of ancient Yutian, tracing the footsteps of historical figures like Zhang Qian, Ban Chao, and Xuanzang.
🌄 Ruins of the Rewak Buddhist Temple, a mark of Buddhist culture - Explore the well-preserved Buddhist temple ruins and feel the power of ancient beliefs.
🏜️ Taklamakan Desert, a natural wonder - Experience the resilience of life and the grandeur of nature in this vast desert.
🌅 Moyu Old Town, a tranquil haven - Stroll through Moyu Old Town and enjoy the tranquility and peace akin to a Mediterranean sunshine town.
🏡 Xiahelek Manor, echoes of history - Visit Xiahelek Manor, listen to those ancient stories, and feel the passage of time.
🏰 Ruins of Yotkan, a popular check-in spot - The beauty of Yotkan ruins under the afterglow of the sunset and the night performances make it an unforgettable place.
📍 Carefully planned route - From Hotan Museum to the Taklamakan Desert, then to Moyu Old Town and Yotkan ruins, each step is an in-depth experience of Hotan culture.
🎉 Experiences not to be missed - Coming to Hotan is not just a trip but a spiritual baptism. Are you ready? Let's set off together to explore this land full of surprises!
🔥 Hotan, a treasure waiting for you to discover 🔥
Hetian One-Day Tour Guide and Expenses
After finishing Kashgar, the next stop is Hetian, a region famous for its jade and the second-to-last stop in southern Xinjiang. This article records my travel itinerary in Hetian. If there are any shortcomings, family members are welcome to leave comments and add!
The first stop is the Yotkan Ancient City, located in Hetian County, 10 kilometers away from Hetian City. Transportation is not very convenient. You can take a taxi for 30 yuan, or take bus No. 2 or No. 6 to Xiaorbage Township, then transfer to bus No. 302 to Yotkan Ancient City.
The ancient city is not large, and it takes about half an hour to walk around. There are very characteristic buildings inside that you can check in. It is quite hot during the day, so it is recommended to find a cool place to stay and wait for the performance time. There are performances from time to time, so remember to listen to the broadcast. In the evening, there is a performance called 'Wan Fang Yue Zou You Yu Tian', so it is recommended to come in the evening!
After leaving Yotkan Ancient City, the next stop is Tuancheng. This is a characteristic place where you can stroll around and check in. There is a place selling yellow noodles and shaved ice yogurt, which is very good and worth a try!
After checking in at Tuancheng, you must visit the Hetian Old Night Market. It is known as the largest night market in Xinjiang, and it is indeed large. There are various snacks, so save some stomach space to try them one by one.
Let's calculate today's expenses:
Meals: 25 yuan
Yotkan Ancient City ticket: 20 yuan
Supper: 25 yuan
Others: 18 yuan
Total: 88 yuan
William Mitchell William-61 Taklamakan Desert
The Taklamakan Desert is a desert in Southwest Xinjiang in Northwest China. This is one of the largest sandy deserts in the world. The desert’s natural conditions are adverse, and there are serious hazards from wind-drift sand. The area is characterized by a dry climate, low rainfall, and high evaporation. There is little variation in colour and intensity across the area.
Beautiful views of the sand dune. We took lots of pictures. Really like this place. Nice experience!
#desert
#travelfreak
A Journey Through Time and Space
✨A Journey Through Time and Space✨📸Let's go, my darlings! Together, let's explore the dazzling pearl of the Western Regions—【Jiaohe Ancient City】, a city of a thousand years of heritage hidden deep in the desert, waiting for us to unveil its mysterious veil.👣🏰Step into the ancient city, and it's as if you've stepped into the long river of history, with the glory of the ancient Kingdom of Khotan vividly before your eyes. Wandering among the meticulously restored white Aiwan residential buildings, every brick and stone tells a story of the past.🏰🍜As you move through the food district, don't forget to taste the authentic Hotan medicinal tea, letting its unique fragrance linger on your taste buds, warming your heart.🍵🔍On the workshop street, craftsmen are skillfully carving wooden bowls, inheriting ancient crafts, with every cut and stroke being a tribute to beauty.🎨Playground
Yutegan Ancient City in Hotan
Bagqi Walnut Culture and Tourism Town - Yutegan Ancient City, is a project developed by Xinjiang Fruit Industry Group Co., Ltd. after over 30 years of dedication in Hotan. The company established Xinjiang Fruit Travel Culture and Tourism Co., Ltd. to enter the cultural tourism industry. With an investment of 500 million yuan, in collaboration with Hotan County Committee and Hotan County Tourism Bureau, they have created Hotan's first folk culture and tourism project - Yutegan Ancient City, aiming to become a new landmark for cultural tourism in Hotan.
Bagqi Walnut Culture and Tourism Town - Yutegan Ancient City, located 10 kilometers west of Hotan City in Bagqi Town, covers an area of 157 mu with a construction area of about 70,000 square meters. It features a layout that includes food streets, homestay hotels, handicraft workshops, and cultural exhibition halls. By deeply empowering the culture and employing modern technology for panoramic performances, the project strives to recreate the historical prosperity of the ancient Silk Road's Yutian for visitors, allowing them to experience the charm of the ancient Yutian culture and art that has been hidden in the desert for a thousand years.
Day 7 of the Southern Xinjiang Journey: Yarkent - Hotan via the Jiaohe Ancient City
The Jiaohe Ancient City is located around Hotan, and the district, which mimics the design of a traditional Western Region ancient city, is very well planned. I highly recommend the immersive experience available in the evening, including the light show and stunt performances. It's definitely worth staying for a night to experience the grandeur of the show.
I recommend the Ancient City Homestay, where I stayed in Grandpa Gasha's room this time, facing the central stage, allowing me to watch the evening's performances from the balcony.
Yotkan Ancient City in Hotan
Yotkan Ancient City in Hotan is a place full of historical charm and natural scenery. The architectural complex of the ancient city is mainly white, and the buildings are scattered throughout the city, each filled with historical traces.
Hotan Jotkan Ancient City
🏰✨ The Hotan Jotkan Ancient City, like a castle rising from the desert, is built with sandstone, recreating the grandeur of the Silk Road. A city built by wind and sand, it carries the rich historical heritage of Hotan.
💰💼 With an investment of 500 million and an area of 70,000 square meters, Jotkan Ancient City is not only a tribute to history, but also a successful attempt at cultural and tourism integration. Through extensive research of ancient texts, the ancient city's architectural style is restored to the greatest extent, while modern design concepts are incorporated to enhance convenience and practicality.
🌍📜 The entire scenic area respects history and integrates local folk culture with modern aesthetic styles, displaying a unique cultural charm. Every piece of sandstone, every building, carries the deep affection of the people of Hotan for their homeland.
👀🌟 Wandering in Jotkan Ancient City, travelers seem to see the scenes of memories, while the old people can see the possibilities of the future. This castle is not only a witness to history, but also a testament to cultural inheritance and the convergence of eras. A fruitful learning journey allows people to feel the unique charm of the Silk Road.
Old City Story | Yotkan Old City
Yotkan Old City is located in Baghqi Town, Hotan County, Xinjiang, about 10 kilometers away from Hotan City. It looks like a huge white castle, with traditional Ayiwang houses, white main color, with colorful eaves paintings, brick carvings, wood carvings and window lattice decorations, which are super suitable for taking pictures and have exotic charm. The charm of the ancient Yutian culture and art hidden for thousands of years is fully displayed here.
Time has flowed for thousands of years, and the ethnic minorities wearing colorful clothes are dancing happily, leading us to travel back to the prosperous age a thousand years ago. Yotkan, in the local language of Xinjiang, means the hometown of the king. It was once the capital of the ancient Yutian country, one of the thirty-six countries in the ancient Western Regions. The ancient Yutian country is known as the longest vassal dynasty in Chinese history, ancient Hotan. The natural and humanistic deposits in the long time are an indispensable epic in Chinese civilization.
The scattered white houses are mainly traditional Ayiwang houses, with gorgeous corridor ceilings, blue doors and windows, and carved corridor columns... Every place is full of mysterious ethnic characteristics. Let's take a stroll in the old city, meet every beautiful frame, and feel the most simple fireworks, and the amazing journey.
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Popular Restaurants in Hotan County